Fake Handgun, Real Arrest in Brick Township

A desire to spray-paint a fake handgun lands a Brick Township man in trouble with the law.

According to township police, Michael Luongo, 48, walked into a Walgreens on Drum Point Road and Hooper Avenue Thursday with a white plastic replica semi-automatic in his pocket. He kept it pocketed while showing it to employees, say authorities, asking to buy spray paint.

When he was turned down, police say, Luongo ventured across the street to CVS, again showed workers his pocketed plastic gun and asked to buy spray paint. They called the cops.

In the interest of not causing a panic in the store, officers waited until Luongo left the shop and took him into custody without incident or injury.

Police say Luongo issued no threats and never took the replica from his pocket. He was placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, charged with possession of an imitation firearm and a disorderly conduct count. His bail was set at $10,000.